On 05 Jul 2003 23:43:16 GMT, Daniel Hanna
wrote:

think about this? Can anyone offer any theories as to why this is?

It stumps me too, Shiva. Possibly the grafts are grumbling about
rootstock that is waterlogged, whereas on their own weaker roots the
plant can pace itself better in poor conditions.

They all drain well, although we have had an awful lot of rain.



I doubt the fact that some of them are Austins makes too much difference.
Bear in mind they are bred primarily for England's wet climate. In
Sydney Australia I find they tend to die MORE easily than HTs and
floribundas, but all mine are grafted anyway.

I think it is the own root element, rather than the Austin element. I
also think my problem has been due to fungal disease combined with the
kind of cane borers that can kill roses. I rarely see borer damage on
the thin young canes of my own root roses. The borers seem to like the
thick stumps of the grafted roses. My oldest own roots have thick
canes, but few that have been cut off close to the crown.